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This comprehensive snow, rock, and ice mountaineering course is set high in the magnificent North Cascades and is designed to give individuals a solid foundation in a variety of alpine mountaineering skills. In order to develop a well rounded foundation of climbing experiences, this course includes ascents of a glaciated peak as well as alpine granite spires, each with its own diverse and unique challenges. This 8-day course begins with two days of rock climbing instruction in the Icicle Canyon area of Leavenworth, WA. Students then put their rock skills to use on the high granite spires of the Liberty Bell group, near Washington Pass. Next, the course moves to a high alpine environment where the focus shifts from rock skills to snow, ice and glacier climbing techniques. Students will have a chance to practically apply all the new skills on a summit climb on one of the dramatic nearby peaks. This course provides motivated beginning climbers with the intensive hands on experience necessary to move safely and efficiently over a wide diversity of climbing terrain. Completion of this course helps prepare climbers for expeditions to such places as Denali, the Polish Glacier Route on Aconcagua, The Matterhorn, Mount Blanc, and many more challenging ascents in the Cascades and in the greater ranges of the world.